East Anglian derby ended all square
Norwich dominated Ipswich for long spells at Carrow Road, but they had to settle for a point as Jacob Murphy’s strike cancelled out Jonas Knudsen’s header. What have we learnt from the game?
Norwich City
John Ruddy – could not be blamed too much for the goal, but otherwise untested. 4
Ivo Pinto – carried off one risky ball retention move when under pressure in his own box. Played in Jerome on one or two occasions but could have offered more width in the second half. 5
Russell Martin – rarely dispossessed McGoldrick, but forced him to play short passes instead of getting in behind. 6
Timm Klose – a typically composed display. Kept substitute Moore quiet in the latter stages. 7
Mitchell Dijks – set up two of Norwich’s first half efforts and stung the keeper’s palms with a fierce second half drive. Gave the ball away to Spence in a dangerous area in an isolated moment of weakness. 8
Jonny Howson – his shooting qualities were needed further up in the first half. Some decent passes into forward areas but needed treatment late on. 6
Alex Tettey – used his power to stop Ipswich getting any forward momentum. Forced a fine save with a firm second half drive. 7
Jacob Murphy – some nice touches in the first half and looked lively throughout. Took his goal well. 7
Wes Hoolahan – should have done better with his first half shot. One or two decent deliveries but well off the pace in open play. 4
Steven Naismith – produced one or two good tests for Bialkowski, but not the star performer he was expected to be at Championship level. 5
Cameron Jerome – posed a constant threat running behind. Could have been sharper in the box but showed pace and tenacity throughout. 7
Josh Murphy (on 76) – looked lively cutting onto his right foot and offered more than Naismith, the man he replaced. 6
Alex Pritchard (on 79) – looked similarly bright with more energy than previous ‘hole’ incumbent Hoolahan. Tested Bialkowski with a curling shot. 7
Ipswich Town
Bartosz Bialkowski – saved well from his own player, Knudsen in the first half and made a string of them from Norwich’s players in the second. Getting beaten at his near post was the only thing denying him full marks. 9
Jordan Spence – sat too deep. On the occasions he did get forward, he created decent opening for McGoldrick and put the cross in for Knudsen. Wasn’t given the licence to do that more often. 5
Luke Chambers – beaten for pace by Jerome at times and his distribution could have been better, but he won a lot in the air. 5
Christophe Berra – one moment of miscommunication with Bialkowski saw him concede a corner, but it was an otherwise towering display. 7
Jonas Knudsen – could have conceded an own goal off his back, but made up for that moment by scoring in another East Anglian derby with a good back-post header. 6
Myles Kenlock – forced too far back. Unable to assert himself in an attacking sense and at times beaten for pace by Murphy, before coming off early in the second half. 3
Grant Ward – a tad passive in midfield. Diagouraga might have imposed himself better had he started. 3
Cole Skuse – battled strongly, particularly in the first half. Always willing to put a foot in. 6
Emyr Huws – his runs helped Ipswich get up the pitch in the game’s infancy, but lost his influence thereon. Should arguably have been replaced by Diagouraga earlier than the 81st minute. 3
David McGoldrick – without showing the same capacity as Jerome to get in behind the defence, McGoldrick worked hard. He brought other players into play with limited service. 6
Freddie Sears – anonymous until his 75th minute exit. Then again, his service consisted of aimless hoofs upfield, hardly ideal with a height of 5’7”. 4
Tommy Smith (on 56) – Ipswich looked more secure down their left when he came on and Knudsen moved to the wing-back role. 7
Kieffer Moore (on 75) – had little change against Klose in his short time on the pitch. 4
Toumani Diagouraga (on 81)